Swiss-Belhotel International Targets African Expansion

Swiss-Belhotel International, a prominent hotel management group, has revealed that it is working on an aggressive expansion strategy for Africa.

Laurent A. Voivenel, the group's senior vice president for operations and development for the Middle East, Africa and India, said in a statement: "Our goal is to have five hotels in Africa by 2021. We recently signed a management agreement with Zanzibar Crown Hotel and Resort Limited to operate the beautiful Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar that is expected to open for business in 2019. In addition, we are in negotiation for some superb projects in various other parts of the continent."

According to the World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals grew by 8% in 2017 in Africa to reach a total of 62 million. Arrivals grew by 13% in North Africa, while Sub-Saharan Africa arrivals increased by 5%, Hotelier Middle East reported.

This momentum is expected to continue in 2018. The hospitality industry contributed $165.6 billion or 7.8% to Africa's GDP in 2016 and this figure rose by 2.9% in 2017 as per figures released by World Travel & Tourism Council.

Meanwhile, the number of planned hotel chain developments has doubled in Africa since 2009 from around 30,000 rooms in 144 hotels to 73,000 rooms in 417 hotels.

The need for quality mid-market hotels in Africa is also something Swiss-Belhotel hopes to capitalize on.